Dive #173 - Rich Torkington's Dive Log

Small hawksbill turtle
Photograph by Rob in Belize 2004

Dive Journal: Johnny and I decide to skip the 2nd morning dive and instead do a little kayaking. We ask Ricky if it’s OK and he says, sure, just drag ‘em in off the beach. We elect to each use a single kayak instead of the tandem, and we’re soon tugging on our oars moving clockwise around the island. We have fun doing circle-island and then exploring the little mangrove islands off in the channel, where there are lots of nesting birds.

We goof around on the shore for a while, then go again around the island the opposite direction. Some stretches are pretty much work as we paddle into the wind, but overall it’s a fun time on the water.

Lunch and an afteroon nap fill out the mid-day, and soon it is time for an afternoon dive. The kids are tuckered out so it’ll just be Linda and me on this one. Ricky and Bo take us to an east-facing site called Majestic Point.

What a very fine dive! The afternoon sun is blasting, giving us great lighting through the clear water. Add tons of fish and a stunning wall and we’re just enjoying this plenty.

About 10 minutes into the dive, a beautiful spotted eagle ray swims only a few feet underneath us, giving a great view of its gorgeous markings. Once again, we love the streaming schools of creole wrasses and there are lots of horseeye jacks here, too.

Near the end of the dive, a small turtle appears and Bo embraces him, scratches him on the back, etc. while we watch.

The best part of this dive was saved for last. On exit, Bo and I are floating on the surface waiting for others to board the boat. He tells me to put my mask back in the water, and we both start laughing at a big remora that is stuck to the back of Linda’s thigh. We finally tell her what we’re smiling about, and she starts squealing. Janel’s description: “Mom’s been remorafied.”